GALADRIEL

Despite their musical excellence, Sydney band Galadriel never achieved any commercial success during their short career, and they were forgotten for many years. Ironically, their eclectic and ultra-rare 1971 LP has now become one of the most collectible artefacts of Australian '70s progressive rock and they are now internationally known, thanks the burgeoning worldwide interest in Australian music of the 60s and 70s, and especially due to the efforts of rock historian Ian McFarlane, who championed them in his Freedom Train fanzine and included this long-overlooked group in his Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop.

Taking their name from the Elven queen of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Galadriel was formed in 1969 by guitarist and songwriter Garry Adams (ex-House of Bricks) and drummer Doug Bligh. In the late 1960s, the repertoire of working bands like House of Bricks usually consisted of covers of local and overseas hits, but Galadriel's members wanted to write and perform their own original material.

Recruiting hotshot lead guitarist Gary Lothian from the highly regarded Sydney band Elliot Gordon Union, singer John "Spider" Sholtens and flautist Mick Parker from fellow Sydney dance band Samael Lilith, Galadriel soon made a name for themselves on the thriving Sydney dance/discotheque circuit. They often played at Sydney's Joseph's Coat disco, and they shared gigs with many of the top progressive groups of the day including, Kahvas Jute, Blackfeather and Spectrum. The band signed with Gus McNeil's Cellar Music, which was also the publishing company for Spectrum's Mike Rudd and Country Radio's Greg Quill. Around October 1970 Galadriel recorded ten original songs at Sydney's United Sound Studios with American engineer-producer Tom Lubin. Their debut single "Lady Was A Thief / Girl of Seventeen" (February 1971) was picked up for release by Martin Erdman's independent label Du Monde, which played such an important part in the Sydney music scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Galadriel shopped the recordings around for several more months without success, but eventually they were signed by the Polydor label (part of the German-based Polygram corporation) , who released the LP and their second single "Standing In The Rain / Working", in May 1971. These were Polydor's first local rock releases in Australia and although the recordings were remarkably good, Polydor evidently lacked the experience and clout to get it noticed and regrettably both album and single sank without trace. Following the single's release, Mick Parker left the band and was replaced by two new members, Bruce Belbin (ex-Gutbucket) and flautist Dave Allen.

Late in 1971 Galadriel prepared to record their second album. Tracks slated for new LP included the epic live highlight "Song For Your Reason", "In The Night" and "Poor Boy", one of their most commercial numbers, which was earmarked as a probable single. Unfortunately, the second Galadriel LP was never recorded and it's been claimed that it was recorded but then erased. Milesago website was  contacted by Dave Allen, and he revealed the true story: "My memory is this. The second album was to be recorded with Festival. Contracts were drawn up, the band was rehearsing, but there was some dispute between Gary Adams and Spider Sholten, the songwriters of the group, and the whole thing was broken up. The second album never existed."

Members

Garry Adams (guitar, vocals), Doug Bligh (drums), Gary Lothian (guitar), Mick Parker (bass, flute), John "Spider" Scholtens (vocals), Dave Allen (flute), Bruce Belbin (bass)

SINGLES 
''The Lady Was A Thief / A Girl Of Seventeen'' 1971 du Monde 
''Standing In The Rain / Working'' 1972 Polydor 

ALBUMS 
'Galadriel' 1971 Polydor 

References

http://www.milesago.com/artists/galadriel.htm